Luca Antonini (; born 4 August 1982) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a defender. He is best known for his five–season stint at A.C. Milan, for which he played from 2008 until 2013. During that time, he made 111 appearances for the club in all competitions, scored one goal, and won the 2010–11 Serie A title as the team's starting left back. Club career Early career Antonini started his career at Milan, originally as a winger, playing for 11 years in their youth teams. At the start of the 2001–02 season, he was loaned out to Serie C2 side Prato, where he made his professional debut, totalling 26 appearances and scoring 3 goals. The following year, he made 17 appearances and scored one goal in his first Serie B season, during a loan spell at Ancona. The team got promoted to Serie A and Antonini's contribution was significant, as he became a regular in the second half of the season. Sampdoria (2003–2004) In June 2003 he moved to Sampdoria in a co-ownership deal with the Rossoneri, for €2 million. In exchange, Ikechukwu Kalu moved to Milan in co-ownership deal for €1 million. He did not get much playing time, as he served mainly as a backup winger for Gasbarroni. However, he made his Serie A debut on 14 December, in an away match against Perugia. Various loan spells (2004–2007) The following season, he returned to play in Serie B, being first loaned out to Modena and then switching, during the January transfer window, to Pescara. Still seeking more playing time, for the 2005–06 season he moved to Arezzo on another loan spell, where he finally managed to play regularly throughout the whole season, making 39 appearances and scoring 3 goals. At the beginning of the 2006–07 season, the then 24-year-old midfielder was sent to Siena on a fourth consecutive loan spell and faced his second Serie A season, which proved much more successful than the first one. He made 32 appearances and scored 3 goals. In particular, his very first goal in the top-tier came on 26 November, in a home game against Fiorentina. Empoli (2007–2008) Prior to the start of the 2007–08 season, Milan reclaimed Antonini for €1 million and sent him to Empoli also for €1 million, along with his future teammate Ignazio Abate (the 50% valued €0.9 million), in a new co-ownership deal.